Question

While assisting a full-term pregnant female in delivering her newborn, at what point should the paramedic consider suctioning the infant's nose and mouth?

A) Only if there is meconium staining on the newborn's head once it delivers

B) When the newborn's head is delivered

C) The newborn's nose and mouth should only be suctioned after the entire delivery is complete

D) After the newborn has been dried and stimulated

Answer 1

The paramedic should suction the infant's nose and mouth when the newborn's head is delivered to prevent complications from meconium aspiration.

Step-by-step explanation:

While assisting a full-term pregnant female in delivering her newborn, the paramedic should consider suctioning the infant's nose and mouth when the newborn's head is delivered (Option B). This immediate action is necessary to prevent aspiration of meconium, which can cause serious complications like labored breathing, a barrel-shaped chest, or a low Apgar score. The presence of meconium in the amniotic fluid, which is stained greenish or yellowish, indicates fetal distress, particularly fetal hypoxia. During delivery, when the head is birthed, the obstetrician or paramedic should promptly aspirate mucus and meconium from the newborn's mouth and nose before the newborn's first breath to minimize the risk of inhalation into the lungs, leading to potential obstructions and complications such as pneumonia or pulmonary hypertension.